DOWNEY — An Army veteran is pleading with whoever stole his car with his service dog inside to return the canine, no questions asked.

Army veteran Apolonio E. Munoz III is pleading for the return of his service dog Marcee who was stolen along with his Honda Civic on Sunday, May 27, 2018, when he was parked at a gas station on Lakewood Boulevard in Downey. (Courtesy photo)

Apolonio E. Munoz III told CBS2 News he never goes anywhere without his dog, Marcee. So when a thief stole his Honda Civic, which was parked at the Arco gas station on the 10800 block of Lakewood Boulevard Sunday night, his 10-year-old pit bull mix was taken, too.

“It was shock and then panic because my first reaction is, ‘Where’s Marcee?’” said Munoz. “I just completely lost it.”

Munoz said Marcee, who he rescued from a shelter two years ago, was training to be his service dog. She was helping him with his combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Munoz served in the Iraq War.

“She helps me throughout the day with different things,” said Munoz. “So, if I’m having a bad day, she’s there to comfort me to make sure that I’m taken care of and to keep other people away so that way I am able to take care of myself.”

In a Facebook post Sunday, the 34-year-old veteran said Marcee has allergies and is on a special diet. He is also worried about her because she has separation anxiety.

“If someone’s willing just to turn her in, no questions asked,” Munoz said. “I just want this nightmare to end. I just want Marcee to come home.”

Anyone with information in the case is urged to call Downey police at (562) 861-0771.